Stacked microelectronic dies and methods for stacking microelectronic dies

ABSTRACT

An assembly of microelectronic devices and method for forming an assembly of microelectronic devices. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a first packaged microelectronic device adjacent to a support member having support member circuitry, with the first packaged microelectronic device having a first microelectronic die at least partially encased in a first encapsulant to define a first package configuration. The method can further include electrically connecting the first packaged microelectronic device to a first portion of the support member circuitry and positioning at least proximate to the first packaged microelectronic device a second packaged microelectronic device having a second microelectronic die at least partially encased in a second encapsulant to define a second package configuration different than the first package configuration. The first packaged microelectronic device can be positioned between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device. The second packaged device can be coupled directly to a second portion of the support member circuitry. Accordingly, the second packaged microelectronic device can be connected directly to the support member without connecting the second packaged device to the first packaged device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to stacked microelectronic dies and methods for stacking microelectronic dies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packaged microelectronic assemblies, such as memory chips and microprocessor chips, typically include a microelectronic device mounted to a substrate and encased in a plastic protective covering. The device includes functional features, such a memory cells, processor circuits, and interconnecting circuitry. The device also typically includes bond pads electrically coupled to the functional features. The bond pads are coupled to pins or other types of terminals that extend outside the protective covering for connecting the microelectronic device to buses, circuits and/or other microelectronic assemblies.

One conventional approach to reducing the surface area occupied by packaged microelectronic devices in compact electronic products is to stack one packaged device on another packaged device having an identical configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an upper packaged microelectronic device 20 b can be stacked on a lower packaged microelectronic device 20 a (collectively referred to as packaged devices 20) and the assembly of packaged devices 20 can be attached to a printed circuit board (PCB) 30. Each packaged device 20 typically includes a die 24 encased in an encapsulant 23. Each die 24 has a plurality of die bond pads 25 connected to pins 43 that extend outside the encapsulant 23. Corresponding pins 43 of each packaged device 20 are connected directly to each other and to corresponding bond pads 31 on the PCB 30. The packaged devices 20 are also connected to each other by attaching an adhesive 11 between the encapsulant 23 of the lower packaged device 20 a and the encapsulant 23 of the upper packaged device 20 b.

In another conventional arrangement shown in FIG. 2, two identical packaged devices 120 (shown as a lower packaged device 120 a and an upper packaged device 120 b) are connected to each other and to a PCB 130 with solder balls 143. Each packaged device 120 can include a die 124 mounted to a substrate PCB 140 and encased with an encapsulant 123. Each die 124 has die bond pads 125 connected with wire-bonds 126 to corresponding bond pads 131 a of the substrate PCB 140. The bond pads 131 a are connected to solder ball pads 131 b with circuitry internal to the support PCB 140. The solder balls 143 connect the solder ball pads 131 b of the upper package 120 b to the solder ball pads 131 b of the lower package 120 a. Additional solder balls 143 connect the lower package 120 a to corresponding bond pads 131 c of the PCB 130.

One drawback with the conventional arrangements described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is that the stacked packaged devices are connected to each other. Accordingly, it can be difficult to remove and replace one packaged device without removing or damaging the other. Furthermore, this arrangement can require several tests to confirm that the packaged devices remain operable after each manufacturing step. For example, the packaged devices may be tested individually before they are coupled, then tested again after they are coupled to each other, and then tested yet again after the coupled packaged devices are mounted to the PCB. Each test can add to the time required to complete the final product, and can accordingly reduce the efficiency of the manufacturing process.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed toward microelectronic package assemblies and methods for stacking packaged microelectronic devices. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes positioning a first packaged microelectronic device adjacent to a support member having support member circuitry, and coupling the first packaged device to a first portion of the support member circuitry. The first packaged microelectronic device includes a first microelectronic die at least partially encased in a first encapsulant to define a first package configuration. The method further includes positioning at least proximate to the first packaged device a second packaged microelectronic device having a second microelectronic die at least partially encased in a second encapsulant to define a second package configuration different than the first package configuration. The second packaged device is electrically coupled to a second portion of the support member circuitry, and the first packaged device is positioned between the support member and the packaged device. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the second packaged microelectronic device can be connected to the support member without being connected to the first packaged microelectronic device. Accordingly, the second packaged microelectronic device package can be removed from the support member without removing the first packaged microelectronic device.

The invention is also directed toward an assembly of packaged microelectronic devices. The assembly can include a support member having support member circuitry, and a first packaged microelectronic device connected to at least one of the support member and the support member circuitry. The first packaged device has a first microelectronic die at least partially encased in a first encapsulant to define a first package configuration. The assembly can further include a second packaged microelectronic device connected to at least one of the support member and the support member circuitry with the first packaged device positioned between the support member and the second packaged device. The second packaged device has a second microelectronic die at least partially encased in a second encapsulant to define a second package configuration different than the first package configurations, and the second packaged device can be connected directly to the support member without being connected to the first packaged device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional side view of two packaged microelectronic devices stacked in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional side view of two packaged microelectronic devices stacked in accordance with another prior art arrangement.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional side view of two packaged microelectronic devices stacked in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional side view of two stacked packaged microelectronic devices attached to a support member with solder balls in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional side view of an initially unpackaged microelectronic die stacked on a packaged microelectronic die in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes microelectronic devices and methods for stacking such devices. Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 3-5 to provide a thorough understanding of these embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments, or that the invention can be practiced without several of the details described below.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional side view of a microelectronic device assembly 210 that includes two packaged microelectronic devices 220 that are individually attached to a support member 230 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the assembly 210 can include a lower packaged device 220 a positioned between the support member 230 and an upper packaged device A 220 b. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the lower packaged device 220 a and the upper packaged device 220 b can have different configurations. For example, the lower packaged device 220 a can include a first microelectronic die 224 a mounted to a package substrate 240 (such as a PCB). The microelectronic features (such as integrated circuits) of the first microelectronic die 224 a can be electrically coupled to first connecting members 243 a (such as solder balls) with circuitry internal to the first microelectronic die 224 a and/or the substrate 240. The upper packaged device 220 b can include a second microelectronic die 224 b having internal microelectronic features electrically coupled to second connecting members 243 b (such as leads or pins). Both the lower packaged device 220 a and the upper packaged device 220 b can include an encapsulating material 223 that at least partially encases the microelectronic dies 224 a and 224 b.

In one embodiment, the support member 230 can include a PCB having first bond pads 231 a aligned with the first connecting members 243 a of the lower packaged device 220 a, and second bond pads 231 b aligned with the second connecting members 243 b of the second packaged device 220 b. The bond pads 231 a, 231 b can be coupled to internal circuitry 232 of the support member 230. In one aspect of this embodiment, the internal circuitry 232 electrically couples the first bond pads 231 a to the second bond pads 231 b for coupling the lower packaged device 220 a to the upper packaged device 220 b. Alternatively, the first bond pads 231 a can be electrically isolated from the second bond pads 231 b. In embodiment, the lower packaged device 220 a can be structurally and electrically connected to the support member 230 by attaching the first connecting members 243 a directly to the first bond pads 231 a. The upper packaged device 220 b can be structurally and electrically connected to the support member 230 by attaching the second connecting members 243 b directly to the second bond pads 231 b.

In one embodiment, the upper packaged device 220 b can be separated from the lower packaged device 220 a by a gap “G”. Alternatively, the upper packaged device 220 b can rest on the lower packaged device 220 a, and in another alternative embodiment, the upper packaged device 220 b can be attached to the lower packaged device 220 a. An advantage of spacing the upper packaged device 220 b apart from the lower packaged device 220 a is that heat can be more readily convected away from the lower surface of the upper packaged device 220 b and the upper surface of the lower packaged device 220 a.

In any of the embodiments described above with reference to FIG. 3, the planform shape or “footprint” of the upper packaged device 220 b in a plane generally parallel to the support member 230 can be different than the planform shape of the lower packaged device 220 a. For example, in one embodiment, the upper packaged device 220 b can have a first and second edges 221 b, 222 b that extend outwardly beyond corresponding rag first and second edges 221 a, 222 a of the lower packaged device 220 a. Accordingly, the second connecting members 243 b can extend from the upper packaged device 220 b alongside the first and second edges 221 a, 222 a of the lower packaged device 220 a to the support member 230. In other embodiments, the assembly 210 can have other arrangements in which the upper packaged device 220 b has a different configuration than the lower packaged device 220 a. For example, the upper packaged device 220 b can have a smaller planform shape than the lower packaged device 220 a, so long as the second connecting members 243 b can extend around the first and second edges 221 a, 222 a of the lower packaged device 220 a to contact the support member 230. In still further embodiments, the assembly 210 can include more than two packaged devices 220. For example, the assembly 210 can include three or more stacked packaged devices 220 with one or more of the packaged devices 220 connected to the support member 230 separately from the rest of the packaged devices 220.

In one aspect of an embodiment of the assembly 210 described above with reference to FIG. 3, the first microelectronic die 224 a and the second microelectronic die can be identical, but the packaged device 220 a and 220 b can have different configurations so that the lower packaged device 220 a can fit beneath the upper packaged device 220 b. Alternatively, the first microelectronic die 224 a in the lower packaged device 220 a can be different than the second microelectronic die 224 b in the upper packaged device 220 b. For example, the first microelectronic die 224 a can have a different processor capability or a different memory capacity than the second microelectronic die 224 b. Alternatively, the first and second microelectronic dies 224 a, 224 b can be functionally as well as configurationally distinct. For example, the first microelectronic die 224 a can include a processor and the second microelectronic die 224 b can include memory circuits.

One feature of an embodiment of the assembly 210 described above with reference to FIG. 3 is that the lower packaged device 220 a and the upper packaged device 220 b are each individually electrically coupled to the support member 230. An advantage of this feature is that the test requirements for the assembly 210 and the components of the assembly 210 can be less than the test requirements for some conventional arrangements. For example, both the lower packaged device 220 a and the upper packaged device 220 b can each be tested individually only once before mounting the packaged devices 220 to the support member 230 and once after mounting. In one specific example, the lower packaged device 220 a can be tested again after it is mounted to the support member 230, but before mounting the upper packaged device 220 b to the support member 230. Accordingly, if the lower packaged device 220 a fails the test, it can be serviced or replaced without disturbing the upper packaged device 220 b. Alternatively, the upper packaged device 220 b can be mounted to the support member 230 after mounting the lower packaged device 220 a, but before testing the lower packaged device 220 a. In either embodiment, the combination of the two packaged devices 220 need not be separately tested before mounting the packaged devices 220 to the support member because the packaged devices 220 are not directly electrically connected to each other before mounting, unlike some conventional arrangements such as those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Another feature of an embodiment of the assembly 210 described above with reference to FIG. 3 is that the upper packaged device 220 b can be structurally separate from the lower packaged device 220 a. An advantage of this feature is that the upper packaged device 220 b can be separately removed from the support member 230 and replaced (if necessary) without adversely affecting the lower packaged device 220 a. Accordingly, the assembly 210 can be less expensive and less time-consuming to maintain and repair.

Still another feature of an embodiment of the assembly 210 described above with reference to FIG. 3 is that conventional techniques for attaching the packages to the support member 230 can be used. For example, conventional “pick and place” devices and methods that are typically used to position the lower packaged device 220 a and the upper packaged device 220 b on the support member 230 in a conventional unstacked arrangement can be used with little or no modification to stack the upper packaged device 220 b over the lower packaged device 220 a and attach both packaged devices 220 to the support member 230.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional side view of a package assembly 310 having two packaged microelectronic devices 320 (shown as a lower packaged device 320 a and an upper packaged device 320 b) individually connected to a support member 330 with solder balls in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, each packaged device 320 a, 320 b includes a microelectronic die 324 mounted to a package substrate 340 (such as a printed circuit board), encased in an encapsulant 323, and electrically coupled to bond pads 341 of the package substrate 340. First solder balls 343 a extend between the bond pads 341 of the lower packaged device 320 and corresponding first bond pads 331 a of the support member 330. Second solder balls 343 b extend between the bond pads 341 of the upper packaged device 320 b and corresponding second bond pads 331 b of the support member 330. The first bond pads 331 a can be electrically coupled to the second bond pads 331 b with circuitry internal to the support member 330, or alternatively, the first and second bond pads 331 a, 331 b can be electrically isolated, as described above with reference to FIG. 3. In either embodiment, each packaged device 320 a, 320 b is individually connected (both structurally and electrically) to the support member 330.

In other embodiments, the assembly 310 can have other configurations. For example, the lower packaged device 320 a can be connected to the support member 330 with elongated conductive members (generally similar to the conductive members 243 b described above with reference to FIG. 3) instead of the first solder balls 343 a. In still further embodiments, the lower packaged device 320 a and/or the upper packaged device 320 b can be connected to the support member 330 with other conductive members.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional side view of a package assembly 410 that includes an initially unpackaged microelectronic die in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the assembly 410 can include a packaged microelectronic device 420 having a first microelectronic die 424 a mounted to a package substrate 440 and at least partially encased in a first encapsulating material 423 a. The packaged device 420 is then coupled to first bond pads 431 a of an assembly support member 430 (such as a PCB) with first conductive members 443 a (such a solder balls). The assembly 410 can further include a second microelectronic die 424 b mounted directly to the first encapsulating material 423 a. The second microelectronic die 424 b can be connected to corresponding second bond pads 431 b of the assembly support member 430 with second conductive members 443 b (such as pins).

In one aspect of an embodiment of the assembly 410 described above with reference to FIG. 5, the second microelectronic die 424 b can be encapsulated after it has been mounted to the packaged microelectronic device 420. For example, a small volume of a second encapsulating material 423 b can be disposed around the upper microelectronic die 424 b and a portion of the second connecting members 443 b. Alternatively, a larger volume of a second encapsulating material 423 c can be disposed over the entire assembly 410 to cover the packaged device 420, the upper microelectronic substrate 424 b and the second connecting members 443 b.

In other embodiments, the assembly 410 can have other arrangements that include an initially unpackaged microelectronic die mounted directly to a packaged microelectronic die. For example, in one alternate embodiment, the second microelectronic die 424 b can be electrically coupled to the packaged device 420 in addition to or in lieu of directly coupling the second microelectronic die 424 b to the assembly support member 430. The second microelectronic die 424 b can contact the packaged device 420 (as shown in FIG. 5) or, alternatively, the second microelectronic die 424 b can be separated from the packaged device 420 by a gap in a manner generally similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 3. In still another alternative embodiment, the second microelectronic die 424 b can be attached (for example, with an adhesive) to the packaged device 420. In yet another embodiment, the second encapsulating material 423 b or 423 c that encases the second microelectronic die 424 b can be eliminated. In still a further embodiment, the relative positions of the second microelectronic die 424 b and the packaged device 420 can be reversed so that the second microelectronic die 424 b is positioned between the assembly support member 430 and the packaged device 420.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for electrically coupling packaged microelectronic devices, comprising: positioning a first packaged microelectronic device adjacent to a support member having support member circuitry, the first packaged microelectronic device having a first microelectronic die at least partially encased in a first encapsulant to define a first package configuration; electrically connecting the first packaged microelectronic device to a first portion of the support member circuitry; positioning at least proximate to the first packaged microelectronic device a second packaged microelectronic device having a second microelectronic die at least partially encased in a second encapsulant to define a second package configuration different than the first package configuration, with the first packaged microelectronic device positioned between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device; and electrically coupling the second packaged microelectronic device to a second portion of the support member circuitry without fixedly attaching the second packaged microelectronic device directly to the first packaged microelectronic device and without positioning another support member between the first and second packaged microelectronic devices.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein electrically connecting the second packaged microelectronic device to the circuitry includes routing connector leads of the second packaged microelectronic device around the first packaged microelectronic device and attaching the connector leads to terminals of the support member.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein electrically connecting the second packaged microelectronic device to the circuitry of the support member includes attaching conductive members directly between the second packaged microelectronic device and the support member without connecting the conductive members to the first packaged microelectronic device.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the first packaged microelectronic device to have a first planform shape and selecting the second packaged microelectronic device to have a second planform shape that is more extensive than the first planform shape in a plane generally parallel to a plane of the support member.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising spacing the second packaged microelectronic device apart from the first packaged microelectronic device while the packaged devices are attached to the support member.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising engaging the first and second packaged microelectronic devices with each other while the first and second packaged microelectronic devices are electrically connected to the support member.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the second packaged microelectronic device from the support member without removing the first packaged microelectronic device from the support member.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the second packaged microelectronic device is one of two second packaged microelectronic devices, and wherein the method further comprises removing the one second packaged microelectronic device from the support member without removing the first packaged microelectronic device from the support member and replacing the one second packaged microelectronic device with the other second packaged microelectronic device.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising testing the first packaged microelectronic device while the first packaged microelectronic device is attached to the support member and before attaching the second packaged microelectronic device to the support member.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein electrically connecting the second packaged microelectronic device to the circuitry of the support member includes connecting solder balls to the second packaged microelectronic device and the support member, with the solder balls extending adjacent to an outer edge of the first packaged microelectronic device.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions of the support member circuitry are connected, and wherein the method further comprises electrically coupling the first packaged microelectronic device to the second packaged microelectronic device via the support member circuitry.
 12. A method for electrically coupling packaged microelectronic devices, comprising: positioning a first packaged microelectronic device adjacent to a support member having support member circuitry, the first packaged microelectronic device having a first microelectronic die at least partially encased in a first encapsulant to define a first package configuration, the first packaged microelectronic device having a first edge and a second edge facing opposite the first edge; electrically connecting the first packaged microelectronic device to a first portion of the support member circuitry; positioning at least proximate to the first packaged microelectronic device a second packaged microelectronic device having a second microelectronic die at least partially encased in a second encapsulant to define a second package configuration different than the first package configuration, the second packaged microelectronic device having a third edge and a fourth edge facing opposite the third edge, with the first packaged microelectronic device positioned between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device; positioning the second packaged microelectronic device with the third edge extending outwardly beyond the first edge of the first packaged microelectronic device and the fourth edge extending outwardly beyond the second edge of the first packaged microelectronic device; and electrically coupling the second packaged microelectronic device to a second portion of the support member circuitry without fixedly attaching the second packaged microelectronic device directly to the first packaged microelectronic device.
 13. A method for electrically coupling microelectronic dies, comprising: positioning one of a first microelectronic die and a second microelectronic die adjacent to a support member, the first microelectronic die being initially unpackaged when it is positioned at least proximate to the support member, the second microelectronic die being at least partially encased in an encapsulant; electrically connecting the one microelectronic die to a first portion of circuitry of the support member; positioning the other microelectronic die at least proximate to the support member, with the one microelectronic die positioned between the support member and other microelectronic die; and electrically coupling the other microelectronic die to a second portion of the circuitry of the support member without positioning another support member between the first and second packaged microelectronic dies.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the encapsulant is a first encapsulant, and wherein the method further comprises disposing a second encapsulant adjacent to the first microelectronic die after the first microelectronic die is coupled to the circuitry of the support member.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the one microelectronic die is the second microelectronic die and is at least partially encased in the encapsulant and the other microelectronic die is the unpackaged first microelectronic die, and further wherein electrically coupling the first microelectronic die to the circuitry of the support member includes routing connector pins of the first microelectronic die around the encapsulant of the second microelectronic die and attaching the connector pins to terminals of the support member.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising spacing the first microelectronic die apart from the encapsulant of the second microelectronic die.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein electrically connecting the one microelectronic die to the circuitry of the support member and electrically coupling the other microelectronic die to the circuitry of the support member includes electrically coupling the one microelectronic die to the other microelectronic die via the circuitry of the support member.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing the other microelectronic die from the support member without removing the one microelectronic die from the support member.
 19. The method of claim 13 wherein electrically coupling the other microelectronic die to the circuitry of the support member includes attaching conductive members directly between the other microelectronic die and the support member without connecting the conductive members to the one microelectronic die.
 20. A method for supporting packaged microelectronic devices, comprising: coupling a first packaged microelectronic device to a support member by bonding solder balls of the first packaged device to corresponding bond pads of the support member; positioning a second packaged microelectronic device at least proximate to the support member with the first packaged microelectronic device positioned between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device; and coupling the second packaged microelectronic device to the support member by positioning connector members of the second packaged device outwardly from an outer edge of the first packaged device and connecting the connector members directly to the support member without positioning another support member between the first and second packaged microelectronic devices.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the solder balls of the first packaged device are first solder balls, and further wherein coupling the second packaged microelectronic device includes connecting second solder balls to the second packaged microelectronic device and the support member, with the second solder balls positioned outwardly from an outer edge of the first packaged microelectronic device.
 22. The method of claim 20 wherein coupling the second packaged microelectronic device to the support member includes routing connector pins of the second packaged microelectronic device around a portion of the first packaged microelectronic device and attaching the connector pins to the support member.
 23. The method of claim 20 wherein the first packaged microelectronic device has a first edge and a second edge facing opposite the first edge, and the second packaged microelectronic device has a third edge and a fourth edge facing opposite the third edge, and wherein the method further includes positioning the second packaged microelectronic device with the third edge of the second packaged microelectronic device extending outwardly beyond the first edge of the first packaged microelectronic device and the fourth edge of the second packaged microelectronic device extending outwardly beyond the second edge of the first packaged microelectronic device.
 24. The method of claim 20, further comprising selecting the first packaged microelectronic device to have a first planform shape and selecting the second packaged microelectronic device to have a second planform shape that is more extensive than the first planform shape in a plane generally parallel to a plane of the support member.
 25. The method of claim 20, further comprising spacing the second packaged microelectronic device apart from the first packaged microelectronic device while the packaged devices are attached to the support member.
 26. The method of claim 20, further comprising removing the second packaged microelectronic device from the support member without removing the first packaged microelectronic device from the support member.
 27. The method of claim 20, further comprising testing the first packaged microelectronic device while the first packaged microelectronic device is attached to the support member and before attaching the second packaged microelectronic device to the support member.
 28. The method of claim 20 wherein coupling the second packaged microelectronic device to the support member includes attaching conductive members directly between the second packaged microelectronic device and the support member without connecting the conductive members to the first packaged microelectronic device.
 29. A method for supporting packaged microelectronic devices, comprising: positioning a first packaged microelectronic device proximate to a support member and electrically coupling the first packaged microelectronic device to the support member, the first packaged microelectronic device having a first planform shape in a plane generally parallel to a plane of the support member; positioning a second packaged microelectronic device at least proximate to the first packaged microelectronic device with the first packaged microelectronic device located between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device, the second packaged microelectronic device having a second planform shape in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the support member, the second planform shape being different than the first planform shape; and electrically coupling the second packaged microelectronic device to the support member.
 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the first planform shape defines a first planform area and the second planform shape defines a second planform area, and wherein the method further comprises selecting the second planform area to be larger than the first planform area.
 31. The method of claim 29 wherein the first packaged microelectronic device has a first edge and a second edge facing opposite the first edge, and the second packaged microelectronic device has a third edge and a fourth edge facing opposite the third edge, and wherein the method further includes positioning the second packaged microelectronic device with the third edge extending outwardly beyond the first edge of the first packaged microelectronic device and the fourth edge extending outwardly beyond the second edge of the first packaged microelectronic device.
 32. The method of claim 29, further comprising spacing the second packaged microelectronic device apart from the first packaged microelectronic device while the packaged devices are attached to the support member.
 33. The method of claim 29, further comprising removing the second packaged microelectronic device from the support member without removing the first packaged microelectronic device from the support member.
 34. The method of claim 29 wherein electrically coupling the second packaged microelectronic device to the support member includes attaching conductive members directly between the second packaged microelectronic device and the support member without connecting the conductive members to the first packaged microelectronic device.
 35. A method for supporting packaged microelectronic devices, comprising: positioning a first packaged microelectronic device proximate to a support member, the first packaged microelectronic device having a first edge and a second edge facing opposite the first edge; electrically connecting the first packaged microelectronic device directly to a first portion of circuitry of the support member; positioning a second packaged microelectronic device proximate to the first packaged microelectronic device with the first packaged microelectronic device positioned between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device, the second packaged microelectronic device having a third edge and a fourth edge facing opposite the third edge; positioning the second packaged microelectronic device with the third edge located outwardly beyond the first edge of the first packaged microelectronic device and the fourth edge located outwardly beyond the second edge of the first packaged microelectronic device; and connecting the second packaged microelectronic device directly to a second portion of the circuitry of the support member without electrically connecting the second packaged microelectronic device directly to the first packaged microelectronic device.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein connecting the second packaged microelectronic device to the circuitry of the support member includes routing connector pins of the second packaged microelectronic device outwardly from an outer edge of the first packaged microelectronic device and attaching the connector pins to the circuitry.
 37. The method of claim 35, further comprising connecting first connector pins from the first packaged microelectronic device directly to the circuitry of the support member and connecting second connector pins from the second packaged microelectronic device directly to the circuitry of the support member without engaging the first connector pins with the second connector pins.
 38. The method of claim 35, further comprising spacing the second packaged microelectronic device apart from the first packaged microelectronic device while the packaged devices are attached to the support member.
 39. The method of claim 35, further comprising removing the second packaged microelectronic device from the support member without removing the first packaged microelectronic device from the support member.
 40. A method for supporting packaged microelectronic devices, comprising: positioning a first packaged microelectronic device proximate to a support member and electrically connecting the first packaged microelectronic device directly to a first portion of circuitry of the support member; positioning a second packaged microelectronic device proximate to the first packaged microelectronic device with the first packaged microelectronic device positioned between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device; and connecting the second packaged microelectronic device directly to a second portion of the circuitry of the support member without fixedly attaching the second packaged microelectronic device directly to the first packaged microelectronic device and without positioning another support member between the first and second packaged microelectronic devices.
 41. The method of claim 40 wherein connecting the second packaged microelectronic device to the circuitry of the support member includes routing connector pins of the second packaged microelectronic device around at least part of the first packaged microelectronic device and attaching the connector pins to the circuitry.
 42. The method of claim 40 wherein the first packaged microelectronic device has a first edge and a second edge facing opposite the first edge and the second packaged microelectronic device has a third edge and a fourth edge facing opposite the third edge, and wherein the method further includes positioning the second packaged microelectronic device with the third edge extending outwardly beyond the first edge of the first packaged microelectronic device and the fourth edge extending outwardly beyond the second edge of the first packaged microelectronic device.
 43. The method of claim 40, further comprising spacing the second packaged microelectronic device apart from the first packaged microelectronic device while the packaged devices are attached to the support member.
 44. The method of claim 40, further comprising contacting the second packaged microelectronic device with the first packaged microelectronic device without fixedly attaching the second packaged microelectronic device to the first packaged microelectronic device.
 45. The method of claim 40, further comprising removing the second packaged microelectronic device from the support member without removing the first packaged microelectronic device from the support member.
 46. The method of claim 40 wherein connecting the second packaged microelectronic device to the support member includes attaching conductive members directly between the second packaged microelectronic device and the support member without connecting the conductive members to the first packaged microelectronic device.
 47. A method for separating packaged microelectronic devices, comprising: providing an assembly of packaged microelectronic devices that includes a support member having support member circuitry, a first packaged microelectronic device electrically connected directly to the support member circuitry with first connector members, a second packaged microelectronic device connected with second connector members directly to the support member circuitry and not the first packaged microelectronic device, the first packaged microelectronic device being positioned between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device, and without positioning another support member between the first and second packaged microelectronic devices; and removing the second packaged microelectronic device from the support member without removing the first packaged microelectronic device and without adversely affecting the operability of the first packaged microelectronic device.
 48. The method of claim 47 wherein the second packaged microelectronic device is one of two second packaged microelectronic devices, and wherein the method further comprises replacing the one second packaged microelectronic device with the other second packaged microelectronic device by electrically coupling the other second packaged microelectronic device to the support member circuitry with the first packaged microelectronic device positioned between the support member and the other second packaged microelectronic device.
 49. A method for electrically coupling packaged microelectronic devices, comprising: positioning a first packaged microelectronic device adjacent to a support member having support member circuitry, the first packaged microelectronic device having a first microelectronic die at least partially encased in a first encapsulant to define a first package configuration, the first microelectronic die having a first edge and a second edge facing opposite the first edge; electrically connecting the first packaged microelectronic device to a first portion of the support member circuitry; positioning at least proximate to the first packaged microelectronic device a second packaged microelectronic device having a second microelectronic die at least partially encased in a second encapsulant to define a second package configuration different than the first package configuration, the second microelectronic die having a third edge and a fourth edge facing opposite the third edge, with the first packaged microelectronic device positioned between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device; positioning the second microelectronic die with the third edge extending outwardly beyond the first edge of the first microelectronic die and the fourth edge extending outwardly beyond the second edge of the first microelectronic die; and electrically coupling the second packaged microelectronic device to a second portion of the support member circuitry without fixedly attaching the second packaged microelectronic device directly to the first packaged microelectronic device. 